About

Provided by Weightmans

We have a national reputation as experts in the field of mental health law acting for numerous mental health NHS trusts and a significant number of private sector psychiatric providers across the country. We have specialist mental health offender care expertise, advising several medium and high security institutions and regularly conduct advocacy in jury prison inquests. Our work includes operation of the Mental Health Act, mental capacity law and safeguards including Court of Protection proceedings and issues regarding consent and we regularly advise on policy and provide representation at tribunals and inquests. Our clients work in a challenging environment and are subject to a complex set of laws and regulations. They rely on our highly responsive lawyers for expert and clear advice and representation on difficult legal and practical issues relating to the treatment and detention of the mentally ill, whether in high, medium or low security hospitals or living in the community. We work closely with the clinical teams within our client organisations and understand the challenges which they face and the reputational issues for providers. Often this specialist advice is needed outside office hours, for which we offer a 24-hour helpline. We also keep our clients up-to-date with legal developments through our monthly mental health law briefings, lectures, seminars and annual mental health law conference, We also provide training specific to our client’s needs.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Mental Health: Providers - UK-wide
1
Band 1
What the Team is Known For

Weightmans provides NHS and private providers with rounded mental health law advice pertaining to issues such as deprivation of liberty, capacity and consent. The firm is instructed in a high number of inquests and Court of Protection proceedings. The team is able to offer immediate support in response to crises whenever they should arise.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Andrew Parsons
2
Andrew Parsons
2
Band 2

Andrew Parsons has a strong track record of advising public and private sector providers on major inquests and investigations. He possesses significant expertise in relation to matters concerning the treatment and transfer of patients.

"Andy Parsons is super responsive."

"Andrew is absolutely key to our organisation's legal success."

Simon Cheverst
Simon Cheverst
Associates to watch

Principal associate Simon Cheverst is noted for his experience in community care and capacity law, and advises both public and private providers.

Ranked Lawyers at
Weightmans

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Mental Health: Providers

Andrew Parsons
2
Andrew Parsons
2
Band 2
Simon Cheverst
Simon Cheverst
Associates to watch

Members

Provided by Weightmans

Alexandra Johnstone

Ben Toke

David Birch

Jill Weston

Julia Appleton

Head of Department

Marianne Frall

Morris Hill

Sarah Knight

Simon Cheverst

Clients

Provided by Weightmans

Numerous mental health and acute NHS Trusts

Significant number of private sector psychiatric providers

Industries

Provided by Weightmans

Consent to treatment

Court of Protection proceedings

Human Rights Act

Information Governance

Judicial reviews

Mental Capacity Act

Mental Health Act

Offender Care

Policy review and preparation

Pre Inquest hearings and Inquests

Representation at hearings

Reputational management advice

Safeguarding

Serious Incident Investigations